The Metaphysics of Light

Isidoros C. Katsos, The Metaphysics of Light in the Hexaemeral Literature: From Philo of Alexandria to Gregory of Nyssa (Oxford Early Christian Studies). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023. 272 pages. Kindle $70.19. Hadback $90.

Abstract: “This volume critically re-evaluates the received interpretation of the nature of light in the ancient sources. Isidoros C. Katsos contests the prevalent view in the history of optics according to which pre-modernity theorized light as subordinate to sight (‘oculocentrism’) by examining in depth the contrary textual evidence found in early Christian texts. It shows that, from Philo of Alexandria and Origen to Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa, the
Jewish-Christian commentary tradition on the hexaemeral literature (the biblical creation narrative) reflected deeply on the nature and physicality of light for the purposes of understanding the structure and purpose of material creation. Contemplation of nature allowed early Christian thinkers to conceptualize light as the explanatory principle of vision rather than subordinated to it. Contrary to the prevalent view, the hexaemeral literature necessitates a ‘luminocentric’ interpretation of the theory of light of Plato’s Timaeus in its reception history in the context of late antique cosmology. Hexaemeral luminocentrism invites the reader of Scripture to grasp not only the sensible properties of light, but also their causal principle as the first manifestation of the divine Logos in creation. The hexaemeral metaphysics thus provides the missing ground of meaning of the early Christian language of light.”

Author: “Isidoros Charalampos Katsos studied law in Athens, Paris, and Berlin, where he acquired a PhD in Human Rights, Environmental Law, and Sustainable Development (Dr. Jur.). He then studied theology in Athens and Cambridge, where he acquired a PhD in Philosophy of Religion and Patristics under the supervision of Rowan Williams. He has held academic positions in Cambridge and Jerusalem, and is currently a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford and a Junior Research Fellow at Campion Hall, Oxford. He has worked as a lawyer in Athens and Brussels, and is a Greek-Orthodox priest bearing the title of Archimandrite.” Publisher’s text.

Prof. Peder Borgen turned 95 on Jan. 26!

The Methodist, ecumenist, churchman and New Testament scholar, Professor dr.theol & PhD, Peder Johan Borgen turned 95 on Thursday 26. January. After his theological education and doctoral studies, he was senior lecturer in Christian studies at the University of Bergen, and then professor of the New Testament and its Greco-Roman environment at the University of Trondheim from 1973 to 1993, ending his professional career there as a senior researcher in 1999.

As a New Testament researcher, Borgen has particularly focused on the Gospel of John, but also on other New Testament writings, and not least the Jew Philo of Alexandria (Egypt) who lived around the same time as Jesus and Paul, and who had a large literary authorship as a Jewish philosopher, politician and Bible interpreter. Borgen’s main work⸺his Norwegian doctoral thesis from 1966⸺is a study of the Gospel of John’s description of the bread from heaven (John 6), seen in the light of Philo’s theology and other Jewish writings. The thesis received a great deal of international attention, and is one of the few Norwegian PhD theses that has been published internationally as many as three times (1965, 1981, 2017). His later works on Philo of Alexandria have also helped to make Borgen well known, perhaps more internationally than in Norway. In Norway,his Free Church status and the fact that he did not work at any church related theological institution but in a Religious Studies University context, probably meant that he did not become more widely known in his native country. His professional works have also preferably been published abroad and in English. In 2020, however, a biography was published in Norwegian; in 2022, however, also this published in the USA.

His great anniversary will be spent in Lillestrøm together with his dear wife Inger and the rest of his closest family members.

We, his former students, doctoral students, and colleagues, congratulate him, thanking him for his scholarly achievements. We thank him also for his mentorship, encouragement, and inspiration up through the years.

Karl-Gustav Sandelin 1940-2022

A couple of days ago I was informed of the sad news that the Finnish Prof.em. Karl-Gustav Sandelin died on July 18. There will be a funeral on August 13.

Karl-Gustav Sandelin was born on April 1, 1940, and studied at the University of Helsinki from 1959-62. He then moved to Åbo Akademi University and received his Master of Theology there in 1964. He was an ASLA-Fulbright student at Harvard University in 1967-68, then worked as a Pastor for a few years before returning to Åbo as a teacher of Greek and New Testament exegesis. He gained a licentiate degree in theology there in 1973, and his doctoral degree in 1977. In 1981 he became a lecturer in biblical languages and exegesis, and in 1995 he was appointed professor of New Testament Exegesis, still at Åbo. His doctoral dissertation dealt with a topic from 1 Corinthians, later he also published on Philo of Alexandria, and he will thus be well-known to Philo scholars. Karl-Gustav was a mild and friendly person; pleasant to work with and cooperative. He retired in 2006.

In 2000, he was given a Festschrift at his 60th Birthday, containing 10 articles, written by internationally renown scholars: A Bouquet of Wisdom. Essays in Honour of Karl-Gustav Sandelin, edited by Karl-Johan Illman, Tore Ahlbäck, Sven-Olav Back, and Risto Nurmela. Åbo: Åbo Akademi, 2000.

He had a personal webpage set up in 2018, which contains a lot of info about his life and work, including some article-length essays: https://karl-gustavsandeli.wixsite.com/minsida

I had the pleasure of working with him when I edited Reading Philo. A Handbook to Philo of Alexandria (published 2014), a project that, in fact, was initiated by him in a somewhat larger scale, but when that turned out not to be realizable, he -as he had by then retired – accepted that I proceeded on his idea and he even participated with a very interesting piece on ‘Philo as a Jew.’ I believe that this was one of his last scholarly articles published internationally.

As for his major publications (books), see the following works:

Die Auseinandersetzung mit der Weisheit in 1 Korinther 15. Åbo: Åbo Academi (Meddelanden från Stiftelsens før Åbo Akademi forskningsinstitut, 12 (Diss.).

Wisdom as Nourisher: A Study of an Old Testament Theme, Its Development Within Early Judaism and Its Impact on Early Christianity. Acta Academiae Aboensis Ser A. Humaniora, vol. 64. Åbo Akademi, 1986. UBT.

Sophia och hennes värld. Exegetiska uppsatser från fyra årtionden. Studier i exegetik och judaistik utgivna av Teologiska fakulteten vid Åbo Akademi Nr. 6. Åbo: Teologiska Fakulteten, Åbo Akademi, 2008. (Collection of articles)

Attraction and Danger of Alien Religion. Studies in Early Judaism and Christianity. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament 290. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012. (A collection of articles).

Greg E. Sterling 65!

I presume that every person who wants to get a little more acquainted with Philo of Alexandria and his works, and who starts by looking up some recent books, articles, bibliographies (not to mention The Studia Philonica), will soon discover that there are some names that pop up more often than others. And among these, the name of Greg E. Sterling will be prominent, not only because of the amount of references and articles discovered as authored by Greg Sterling, but also by the range of various topics and the quality of the articles found.

In the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature there use to be a Philo Seminar with two or three sessions dedicated to the study of Philo of Alexandria. Those visiting the seminar for the first time, will – probably very soon – discover a robust guy (who looks like a former wrestler) with glasses, grey hair and a short-cut grey beard, who steps forward either as a lecturer, providing a response, or asking questions from the audience: Yes, it will most probably be Greg E. Sterling. In November 2019, a few days before the Annual Meeting of that year started, Greg Sterling could celebrate his 65th birthday (on Nov 21st).

There were, however, no Festschrift presented that year. And when the time for the next SBL Annual Meeting arrived, and the Festschrift was about to be presented, that Meeting was to be arranged online, due to the Corona Virus! Now, in 2021, we are almost getting used to these awkward (and for some terrible circumstances of the) pandemic), and we can only hope for an Annual Meeting in person upcoming November. Time will tell.

But the Festschrift was there, and is here. In a special on-line arrangement via Zoom, the volume was presented to Greg Sterling; the 2020 volume of The Studia Philonica Annual. Studies in Hellenistic Judaism, edited by David T. Runia and Michael B. Cover, and published by SBL Press.

Happily, for all those who were not able to attend that session on Zoom, there was made a video of the session, a video that now is made available for all to see; by clicking on this link:

https://youtu.be/gj2LhNMTQdU

Better late than never; Happy Birthday Greg.

A Peder Borgen Biography

Torrey Seland,

Peder Borgen. Metodist – Økumen – Professor i en brytningstid.

Cappelen Damm Akademisk, Oslo, Des. 2020.  ca. 350 s.

I denne boken presenteres en repre­sentant for en av frikirkene i Norge, Peder Johan Borgen (1928-). Borgen var metodist, forkynner, kirke­politiker, økumen, og universitets­professor i kristendoms­kunn­skap, og er en inter­nasjonalt anerkjent bibel­forsker.

Som metodist i Norge ble Borgen en ivrig for­kjemper for frikirkenes plass i det norske kirkelandskap, og for religions­­­frihet i vid forstand. Beskrivelsen av hans liv kan dermed også leses som uttrykk for erfaringer som mange innen frikirkene i Norge kunne oppleve. Boken forsøker slik å bringe ny innsikt i og forståelse for frikirkenes plass i norsk kirkeliv som på denne tiden var så preget både av Den norske kirkes hegemoniske rolle og manglende økumeniske interesse og arbeid. Samtidig gir den en omfattende oversikt over Peder Borgens liv og innsats i norsk universitets- og samfunnsliv og internasjonale bibelforskning.

Vale Tom Tobin

About a week ago I received the sad news that Tom Tobin had passed away at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday, August 30^th, due to heart complications. He was a respected Philo,- and Pauline scholar, and a Facebook friend. We also always met at the SBL Annual Meeting’s Philo seminars. Here is some words in memory of Tom, written by Greg Sterling:

“Tom was a first-rate scholar. I still remember reading his The Creation of Man when I was a doctoral student. What most impressed me was the care that he took with the text and the way that he attempted to work through the exegetical traditions systematically and chronologically. One does not need to agree with all of his conclusions to appreciate the quality of the mind that produced the work. When I invited a small group of scholars to Notre Dame to plan the commentary series, Tom was on the must list of invitees.

His work on Philo in this and in his other publications impressed me so much that when I stepped down as chair of the Philo Seminar/Group, I nominated Tom to succeed me. When David Hay died suddenly, David Runia and I discussed whom we should ask to succeed David Hay as the editor of the monograph series and both reached the same judgment, Tom Tobin. For many years he has also been the chair of the board of the Studia Philonica Annual.

Tom was a priest who gave his life in service as a Jesuit. He did not wear his priesthood on his sleeves, but he took his vows with utter seriousness and served many. Tom was a “Chicago” boy through and through. He loved the city and knew it exceptionally well. He could tell you stories about where gangsters used to eat etc.  He has lived in his city, in a university run by the order of priests to which he belonged, and is now home. But we will miss him!

Requiescat in pace carus et dignus amicus.“

There are also many greetings and nice words about him on his Facebook page; see https://www.facebook.com/thomas.tobin.982

Bibliographia Borgeniana

This post contains a comprehensive Bibliography of Professor Peder J. Borgen for the years of 1949 to 2018. Borgen was 92 last January, but there might still come an article or two; I know he is working on something! 🙂 

The bibliography is originally written for Norwegian readers, and contains a few Norwegian terms; Red=abbr. for editor;  i=in; s=p =page. Articles in Newspapers are not included.

Articles and books by Peder Borgen 1949-2018 (books are given i bold types)

(1949). Festskrift ved Lillestrøm Metodistmenighets 50-års jubileum 3-9-1949. Utarbeidet av stud. teol. Peder Borgen. Lillestrøm Blads Trykkeri.

Borgen, P. (1956). Eschatology and Heilsgeschichte in Luke-Acts. PhD Dissertation, Drew University, New Jersey, USA. (Arkivutgave; upublisert).

Borgen, P. (1959). The Unity of the Discourse in John 6. Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der älteren Kirche 50, 277-278

Borgen, P. (1959a). John and the Synoptics in the Passion Narrative. New Testament Studies 5, 246-259.

Borgen, P. (1960). Brød fra himmel og fra jord. Om Haggada i Palestinsk Midrasj, hos Philo og i Johannesevangeliet. Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 61, 318-240.

Borgen, P. (1961). At the Age of Twenty in I QSa. Revue de Qumran 3, 267-277

Borgen, P. (1963). Observations on the Midrashic Character of John 6. Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der älteren Kirche 54, 232-240.

Borgen, P. (1965). Bread from Heaven: An Exegetical Study of the Concept of Manna in the Gospel of John and the Writings of Philo. Supplements to Novum Testamentum: Leiden: E.J. Brill.

Borgen, P. (1966). Den såkalte Gyldne Regel (Matt. 7:12, Luk. 6:31), dens forekomst i Det nye testamentes omverden og dens innhold i evangelienes kontekst. Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 67, 129-46.

Borgen, P. (1966a). Von Paulus zu Lukas. Beobachtungen zur Erhellung der Theologie der Lukasschriften. Studia Theologica 20, 140-57.

Borgen, P. (1968). Gods Agent in the Fourth Gospel. I Neusner, J. (Red.). Religions in Antiquity. E. R. Goodenough Memorial Volume (s. 137-148). Leiden: Brill.

Borgen, P. (1969). Eine allgemein-etische Maxime. Temenos 5, 37-53.

Borgen, P. (1969a). From Paul to Luke: Observations Toward Clarification of the Theology of Luke-Acts. Catholic Biblical Quarterly 31, 168-82.

Borgen, P. (1970). Observations on the Targumic Character of the Prologue in John, New Testament Studies 16, 13-20.

Borgen, P. (1970a). Logos var det sanne lys.  Svensk Exegetisk Årsskrift XXXV, 79-95.

Borgen, P. (1970c). Johannes-prologen som eksegese, i P. Mehren, K. Skorgevik, J. Wendel (Red.), Skrift og Skole. Festskrift til O. Hjelde (s. 73-84). Oslo: Land og Kirke.

Borgen, P. (1970d). En tradisjonshistorisk analyse av materialet om Jesu fødsel hos Ignatius, Tidsskrift for Teologi og Kirke 42, 37-44.

Borgen, P. (1971). & Roald Skarsten, Bibelvitenskap, gresk og EDB, Maskinleselig tekst og indeks av Philo fra Alexandrias skrifter, FORSKNINGSNYTT fra Norges allmennvitenskapelige forskningsråd nr. 3, 37-39+50.

Borgen, P. (1971a). Ekumeniske tendenser og problemer i metodismen. Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 72, 19-42.

Borgen, P. (1972). Johannes Olsonius. Theosophus et Medicus Bergensis. Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 73, 1-26.

Borgen, P. (1972a). Logos was the true Light, Novum Testamentum 14, 95-110.

Borgen, P. (1973). Philo Judeus: Om dannelsen av verden, I Wyller, E. A. (Red.), Platonisme i Antikk og Middelalder (s. 113-123). Oslo.

Borgen, P. (1974). Tanker i Det nye testamentet om kristen enhet, Lumen 17, 1-19.

Borgen, P. (1976). The Place of the Old Testament in the Formation of New Testament Theology. Response, New Testament Studies 23, 67-75.

Borgen, P. (1976/77). & Skarsten, Roald, Questiones et Solutiones: Some Observations on the Form of Philos Exegesis. Studia Philonica 4, 1-16.

Borgen, P. (1977). Some Jewish Exegetical Traditions as Background for Son of Man Sayings in the Fourth Gospel (Jn 3:13-14 and context. I Jonge, M. De. (Red.). L‘Evangelie de Jean. (s. 243-258). Gembloux.

Borgen, P. (1977a). Der Logos war das wahre Licht. Beitrage zur Deutung des Johannesichen Prologs, in A. Fuchs, Theologie aus dem Norden. Studie zum Neuen Testament in seiner Umwelt (SNTU), Seria A, Band 2, (s. 99-117). Freistadt.

Borgen, P. (1979). The Use of Tradition in John 12,44-50, New Testament Studies 26, 49-66.

Borgen, P. (1979a). Religiøs Pluralisme i nytestamentlig tid. I Borgen, P. (Red.). Religiøs pluralisme i bibelsk tid og i Norge i dag (s. 101-118). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1980). Helbredelsesundere i Det nye testamente, i Borgen, P. (Red.). Mennesket og naturen i kristendom og naturvitenskap (s. 43-64). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1980a). Observations on the Theme Paul and Philo: Paul’s Preaching of Circumcision in Galatia (Gal 5:11) and Debates on Circumcision in Philo, I Pedersen. S.  (Red.).  Die Paulinische Literatur und Theologie (s. 85-102). Århus: Forlaget Aros.

Borgen, P. (1980b). Nomisme og libertinisme i Paulus brev til Galaterne. Tidsskrift for Teologi og Kirke 51, 257-267.

Borgen, P. (1980c). Det nye testamentes omverden. Tekster i oversettelse med innledninger. Utvalgte greske tekster og ordlister. Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1980/81). Fornuftens, erfaringens og den sosiale konteksts rolle i relasjon til Skriftens autoritet, Nordisk ekumenisk årsbok, 35-48.

Borgen, P. (1981). Fra Bibeltolkningens historie og aktuelle debatt, i Borgen, P. (Red.). Bibelen i brennpunktet for tro, historie og litteratur (s. 83-110). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1981a). Biblical Authority and the authenticity of the church in relationship to auxiliary keys such as reason, experience, and social contexts, Epworth Review 8, 72-81.

Borgen, P. (1981b). Kirkebevegelse og foreningsbevegelse. I Øverland, P. (Red.). Norske Frikirker. Framvekst og konfesjonell egenart i brytning med statskirkelighet (s. 9-33). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1981b). Bread from Heaven: An Exegetical Study of the Concept of Manna in the Gospel of John and the Writings of Philo. 2. Opplag. Supplements to Novum Testamentum. Leiden: E.J. Brill.

Borgen, P. (1981c). Synd och nåd, Tro och Liv 3, 29-34.

Borgen, P. (1981d). Miracles of Healing in the New Testament, Studia Theologica 24, 91-106.

Borgen, P. (1981e). Grunnleggelse, motgang og fremgang 1884-1914, I Kirken i Sentrum. Trondheim Metodistmenighet 100 år. 1881- 6. november – 1981 (s. 9-50). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1981f). Odd Hagen. I Kirken i Sentrum. Trondheim Metodistmenighet 100 år. 1881- 6. november – 1981. (s. 184-186). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1982). Dåp i Det nye testament og i konfesjonell debatt. Norsk Forlagsselskap: Oslo.

Borgen, P. (1982a). Jesus og de fattige, Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 83, 19-32.

Borgen, P. (1982b). Hvilket menneskesyn? Hvilket livssyn? I Borgen, P. (Red.). Hvem er Jeppe? (s. 45-67). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1983). Paul Preaches Circumcision and Pleases Men, I Hooker, M.D. & Wilson S.G. (Red.). Paul and Paulinism. Essays in Honour of C.K. Barrett (s. 37-46). London.

Borgen, P. (1983a).  The early Church and the Hellenistic Synagogue. Studia Theologica 37, 55-78.

Borgen, P. (1983b).  Paul Preaches Circumcision and Pleases Men and other essays on Christian Origins. Trondheim: Tapir. Contains: Borgen 1980a; 1983; 1969a; 1983c; 1983a; 1966 (eng. transl.); 1981e; 1974 (eng. transl.); 1970d (eng. transl.); 1961; 1983c; 1983d og 1976/77.

Borgen, P. (1983c). Philo, Luke and Geography, I Borgen, P. (1983b), s. 59-71.

Borgen, P. (1983d). Aristobulus – A Jewish exegete from Alexandria. I Borgen, P. (1983b), s. 179-190.

Borgen, P. (1983e). Logos was the true Light, and other essays on The Gospel of John. Trondheim: Tapir.  Contains: Borgen 1959a; 1959; 1963; 1983f; 1968; 1970; 1972a; 1983g; 1976; 1979; 1977, + two previously unpublished works:

Borgen, P. (1983f). Bread from Heaven. Aspects of Debates on Expository Method and Form. I: Borgen, P. (1983e), s. 32-46.

Borgen, P. (1983g). Johns Use of the Old Testament and the Problem of Sources and Traditions. I. Borgen, P. (1983e), s. 81-91.

Borgen, P. (1984). Etterutdanning av lærere i Universitetets regi. Prismet 2-3, 86-90.

Borgen, P. (1984a). Filo, Diasporajøde Fra Aleksandria. Kvalbein, H. (Red.), Blant skriftlærde og fariseere: Jødedommen i oldtiden (s. 143-56). Oslo: Verbum.

Borgen, P. (1984b). Philo of Alexandria,” Jonge, M. de & Safrai, S. (Red.). Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum II,2 (s. 233-82). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Borgen, P. (1984c). Philo of Alexandria. A Critical and Synthetical Survey of Research Since World War II. I Haase, W. (Red.). Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt II 21,1: Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. 2, Principat. Religion: (Hellenistisches Judentum in römischer Zeit: Philon und Josephus). (s. 98-154). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.

Borgen, P. (1985). Bibel – kultur – identitet, i O. G. Winsnes (red.). Religionskunnskap og allmennutdannelse (s. 79-13). Trondheim: Tapir,

Borgen, P. (Red.). (1985a).  The Many and the One. Essays on Religion in the Graeco-Roman World Presented to H. Ludin Jansen. Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1985b). The Cross-National Church for Jews and Greeks. Observations on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. I Borgen 1985a, s. 225-248.

Borgen, P. (1986/87). Nattverdtradisjonen i 1. Kor. 10 og 11 som evangelietradisjon. Svensk Exegetisk årsbok 51-52, 32-9.

Borgen, P. (1986). Gods Agent in the Fourth Gospel, in J. Ashton (ed.), Interpretation of John. Issues in Religion and Theology 9 (s. 67-78). Philadelphia and London, 1986.

Borgen, P. (1987).  Creation, Logos and the Son: Observations on John 1:1-18 and 5:17-18. Ex Audite III, 88-97.

Borgen, P. (1987a). Kristne og staten i Det nye testamente, i P. Borgen et al. (red.), Teologi på tidens torg. Festskrift til Peter Wilhelm Bøckman (s. 33-41).Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1987b). Bibelske tema i litteratur, film og teater. I Bøckman P.W. (Red.). Bibelske tema i litteratur, film og teater (s. 9-22). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1987c). John and the Synoptics: Can Paul offer help? I Hawthorne, G.W. (Red.). Tradition and Interpretation in the New Testament. Essays in honor of E. Earle Ellis for his 60^th Birthday (s. 80-94). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (1987d). The Church as the Body of Christ, Doxology 4, 7-16.

Borgen, P. (1987e). Philo, John and Paul. New Perspectives on Judaism and Early Christianity. Brown Judaic Studies. Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press. “These studies are either reproductions, elaborations or modifications of essays which have been previously published”: se 1970; 1984b; 1984c; 1980a; 1977; 1972a; 1963; 1983f; 1983a; 1980a; 1985a; og 1983c.

Borgen, P., Hognestad, O., Karlsaune, E., Rian D., & Øverland, P. (Red.). (1987f). Teologi på tidens torg. Festskrift til Peter Wilhelm Bøckman. Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1988). Utredning om behovet for forskning innenfor området kulturarv-religionsundervisning-skole, UniTRel studieserie 8: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1988a). Catalogue of Vices, The Apostolic Decree, and the Jerusalem Meeting, I Neusner, J., Borgen, P., Frerichs, E.S., & Horsley. R. (Red.), The Social World of Formative Christianity and Judaism. Essays in Tribute to Howard Clark Kee (126-141). Philadelphia: Fortress.

Borgen, P. (1989a). Undervisning i kristendom, andre religioner og livssyn. I Vikan, A. & Aakervik, Aa. O. (Red.). Skolen mot år 2000. (s. 53-69). Namsos.

Borgen, P. (1989b). En tysk buddhist tolker kristendommen og dens historie. I Bøckman, P.W. (Red.). Kristendommen og religionene (s. 45-64). Tapir: Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1990). John and the Synoptics. I Dungan, D. L. (Red.).  The Interrelations of the Gospels. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium XCV (s. 408-37). Leuven: Leuven University Press.

Borgen, P. (1990a). John and the Synoptics: A Reply. I Dungan, D. L. (Red.). The Interrelations of the Gospels. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium XCV. (s. 451-8). Leuven: Leuven University Press.

Borgen, P. (1991). The Sabbath Controversy in John 5:1-18 and Analogous Controversy Reflected in Philos Writings. The Studia Philonica Annual 3, 209-21.

Borgen, P. (1991a). Miljø, skapelse og frelse. Nåtid og fremtid, I Borgen, P. (Red.) Miljøkrise og verdivalg: miljøkrisen i kristent perspektiv og som utfordring i samfunn og skole. (s. 35-56). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1991b). Metodistkirken, en tverrnasjonal kirke i Norge og i andre land, I Øverland, P. (Red.). Norges kristne kirkesamfunn. (s. 28-38). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1992).  The Independence of the Gospel of John. Some Observations. I  Segbroeeck, F. v., Tuckett, C., Belle, G.  &  Verheyden, J. (Red.). The Four Gospels 1992. Festschrift Frans Neirynck. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium (s. 1815-33). Leiden: Brill.

Borgen, P. (1992a). Filo fra Alexandria. Jødisk filosof og Jesu samtidige, Midtøsten Forum. Tidsskrift om Midtøsten og Nord-Afrika nr 1, feb.,  40-46.

Borgen, P. (1992b). Judaism in Egypt. I Freedman, D. N. (Red.). The Anchor Bible Dictionary Vol 3:H-J. New York: Doubleday, s. 1061-72.

Borgen, P. (1992c). There Shall Come Forth a Man Reflections on Messianic Ideas in Philo. J. H. Charlesworth (Red.), The Messiah. (s. 341-61). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg & Fortress.

Borgen, P. (1992d). Philo of Alexandria. I Freedman, D.N. (Red.). The Anchor Bible Dictionary Vol 5 O-Sh. (s. 333-342). New York: Doubleday.

Borgen, P. (1992e). Philo and the Jews in Alexandria, I Bilde, P. Engberg-Pedersen,T.,  Hannestad, L. & Zahle, J. (Red.). Etnicity in Hellenistic Egypt (s. 122-138). Århus: Aarhus University Press.

Borgen, P. (1992f). Overcoming Fears. I Charlesworth, J. H. & Blisard, F. X. & Gorham, J.L. (Red.). Overcoming Fears Between Jews and Christians (s. 109-118). New York.

Borgen, P. (1992g). Et visst håp for framtiden. I Tofte, R. (Red.). Snart enige? Glimt fra samtaler mellom forskjellige kirkesamfunn (s. 78-79). Oslo: Verbum.

Borgen, P. (1993).  Metodistkirken. I Borgen, P. & Haraldsø, B. (Red.). Kristne kirker og trossamfunn.  (s. 231-244). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1993a) & Bloch-Hoell, N.  Den reformerte kirke, I Borgen, P. & Haraldsø, B. (Red.). Kristne kirker og trossamfunn.  (s. 229-242). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1993b).  Heavenly Ascent in Philo: An Examination of Selected Passages. I Charlesworth, J. H. & Evans, C.A. (Red.). The Pseudepigrapha and Early Biblical Interpretation. Journal for the Study of Pseudepigrapha Supplement Series. (s. 246-68). Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press.

Borgen, P. (1993c). John 6: Tradition, Interpretation and Composition. I De Boer, M.C. (Red.). From Jesus to John: Essays on Jesus and New Testament Christology in Honour of Marinus de Jonge. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 84  (s. 268-91). Sheffield: JSOT Press.

Borgen, P. (1993d).  Polemic in the Book of Revelation. I Evans, C.A. & Hagner, D. A. Anti-Semitism and Early Christianity: Issues of Polemic and Faith (s. 199-211). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Borgen, P. (1993e). Georg Wolff (1736-1828): Handelsmann, metodist og norsk-dansk konsul i fred og krig. I Utne, B.S. & Aarek, H.E. (Red.), «Dette Ukrudt fra Engellands sectrige og geile jordbund,» Rapport fra forskningsseminar om: «Den rolle kristne dissenterbevegelser – spesielt kvekerne – spilte i norsk kulturutvikling på 1800-tallet.». (s. 86-101). Stavanger.

Borgen, P. (1994).  Den Dansk-Norske Konsul Georg Wolff (1736-1828). Religion, Handel og Politikk i Dansk-Norsk og Engelsk miljø i London. I Andersen, H. W., Dahl, S., Haarstad, K., & Simensen, J. (Red.), Clios Tro Tjener. Festskrift til Per Fuglum. Skriftserie fra Historisk Institutt 1 (s.  45-75). Trondheim: Historisk Institutt: Universitetet i Trondheim.

Borgen, P. (1994a). Yes, No, How Far?: The Participation of Jews and Christians in Pagan Cults. T. Engberg-Pedersen (Red.). Paul in His Hellenistic Context (s. 30-59). Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark.

Borgen, P. (1994b). Jesus Christ, the Reception of the Spirit, and a Cross-National Community. I Green, J. B. & Turner, M. (Red.). Jesus of Nazareth: Lord and Christ: Essays on the Historical Jesus and New Testament Christology (s. 220-35). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (1994c). Man’s Sovereignty Over Animals and Nature According to Philo of Alexandria. I Fornberg, T. & Hellholm, D. (Red.). Texts and Contexts: Biblical Texts in Their Textual and Situational Contexts. Essays in Honor of Lars Hartman (s. 361-89). Oslo: Scandinavian University Press.

Borgen, P. (1994d). Militant proselytisme og misjon. Hvalvik, R. and Kvalbein, H. (Red.), Ad Acta: Studier til Apostlenes Gjerninger og urkristendommens historie (s. 9-26). Oslo: Verbum.

Borgen, P. (1994e). Misjon i nytestamentlig tid og i Metodistkirken i Europa i dag. Teologisk Forum VIII, 27-41.

Borgen, P. (1995). Some Hebrew and Pagan Features in Philo’s and Paul’s Interpretation of Hagar and Ishmael. I Borgen, P. & Giversen, S. (1995a). (Red.). The New Testament and Hellenistic Judaism (s. 151-64). Aarhus: Aarhus University Press.

Borgen, P. & S. Giversen. (Red.), (1995a). The New Testament and Hellenistic Judaism. Aarhus: Aarhus University Press.

Borgen, P. (1996). Religionsfrihet og statskirke. BAPTIST. Tidsskrift for baptistisk historie, teologi og praksis nr. 2, 7-26.

Borgen, P. (1996a). In Accordance with the Scriptures. I Barclay, J. & Sweet, J. (Red.), Early Christian Thought in Its Jewish Context (s. 193-206). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Borgen, P. (1996b). The Gospel of John and Hellenism: Some Observations I Culpepper, R. & Black, C. (Red.). Exploring the Gospel of John. In Honor of D. Moody Smith (s. 98-123). Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press.

Borgen, P. (1996c). Moses, Jesus, and the Roman Emperor. Observations in Philo’s Writings and the Revelation of John. Novum Testamentum 38, 145-59.

Borgen, P. (1996d). Philo of Alexandria – A Systematic Philosopher or an Eclectic Editor? An Examination of His Exposition of the Laws of Moses. Symbolae Osloenses 71, 15-34.

Borgen, P. (1996e). Philantropia in Philo’s Writings. Some Observations. I  Elder, L. B., Barr, D. L., & Malbon, E. S. (Red.). Biblical and Humane. Festschrift for John Priest (s. 173-88). Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press.

Borgen, P. (1996f). Emperor Worship and Persecution in Philo’s In Flaccum and De Legatione ad Gaium and Revelation of John. I Cancik, H., Lichtenberger, H., & Shäfer, P. (Red.). Geschichte – Tradition – Religion. Festschrift für Martin Hengel zum 70. Geburtstag. Bnd III. Frühes Christentum (s. 493-509). Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck.

Borgen, P. (1996g). Early Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. Inneholder: 1994a; 1992b; 1991; 1990; 1990a; 1992; 1993c; 1988a; 1994b; 1993d; 1996h; 1996i; 1996j.

Borgen, P. (1996h). Militant and Peaceful Proselytism and Christian Mission. I Borgen, P. (1996g). s. 45-69.

Borgen, P. (1996i). Illegitimate Invasion and Proper Ascent. I: Borgen, P. (1996g). s. 293-307.

Borgen, P. (1996j). Autobiographical Ascent Reports: Philo and John the Seer, I: Borgen, P. (1996g). s. 309-320.

Borgen, P. (1997). Philo of Alexandria, An Exegete for His Time (Supplements to Novum Testamentum 86; Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1997).

Borgen, P. (1997a). Philo of Alexandria: Reviewing and Rewriting Biblical Material. Studia Philonica 9, 37-53.

Borgen, P. (1997b). Samenes første Landsmøte 6-9 Februar 1917. Grunnlaget for Samefolkets dag 6. Februar. Historisk oversikt. Dokumentasjon. Kommentar. Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (1998). The Crossing of the Red Sea as Interpreted by Philo. Biblical Event – Liturgical Model – Cultural Application. I Hills, J.V. (Red.). Common Life in the Early Church. Essays Honoring Graydon F. Snyder (s. 77-90). Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International.

Borgen, P., Robbins V. K., & Gowler D. B. (Red.). (1998a). Recruitment, Conquest, and Conflict. Strategies in Judaism, Early Christianity, and the Greco-Roman World (Emory Studies in Early Christianity. Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press.

Borgen, P. (1998b). Proselytes, Conquest and Mission. I Borgen, P., Robbins V. K., & Gowler D. B. (Red.). (1998a). Recruitment, Conquest, and Conflict. Strategies in Judaism, Early Christianity, and the Greco-Roman World. Emory Studies in Early Christianity (s. 57-77). Atlanta, Georgia: Scholars Press.

Borgen, P. (1998c). George Scott – Wesleyan Missionary to Sweden: Aspects of His Preaching.  I Sykes, R., (red.). Beyond the Boundaries. Preaching in the Wesleyan Tradition. (s. 116-135). Oxford.

Borgen, P. (1999). Two Philonic Prayers and Their Contexts: An Analysis of Who is the Heir of Divine Things (Her.) 24-29 and Against Flaccus (Flac.) 170-175. New Testament Studies 45, 291-309.

Borgen, P. Kåre Fuglseth and Roald Skarsten (Red.). (2000). The Philo Index: A Complete Greek Word Index to the Writings of Philo of Alexandria. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (2000a). “Openly Portrayed as Crucified: Some Observations on Gal 3:1-14. I Horrell, D. G. & Tuckett, C. M. (Red.). Christology, Controversy and Community. New Testament Essays in Honour of David R. Catchpole (s. 345-53). E.J. Brill: Leiden.

Borgen, P. (2000b). Philo’s Against Flaccus as Interpreted History, I Illman, K.-J., Ahlback, T., Back, S.-O. & Nurmela, R. (Red.). A Bouquet of Wisdom. Essays in Honour of Karl-Gustav Sandelin (s. 41-57). Åbo: Åbo Akademi.

Borgen, P. (2000c). Jøder og kristne. Følelse av slektskap-opplevelse av overgrep-forståelse av skyld-dialogens vei, I Jørgensen, Th., Rian D., & Winsnes, O. G. (Red.), Kropp og sjel. Festskrift til professor Olav Hognestad (s. 195-201). Trondheim: Tapir.

Borgen, P. (2001). Application of and Commitment to the Laws of Moses. Observations on Philos Treatise On the Embassy to Gaius. I  Runia, D.T. & Sterling, G. E. (Red.), In the Spirit of Faith: Studies in Philo and Early Christianity in Honor of David Hay. Studia Philonica Annual/ Studies in Hellenistic Judaism Volume XIII. (s. 86-101). Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press.

Borgen, P. (2001a). Greek Encyclical Education, Philosophy and the Synagogue. Observations from Philo of Alexandrias Writings. I Matsson, O. et al. (Red.). Libens Merito. Festskrift til Stig Strømholm på sjuttioårsdagen 16 sept. 2001. Acta academiæ Regiæ Scientiarum Upsaliensis. Kungl. Vetenskapssamhällets Uppsala Handlingar 21 (s. 61-71). Uppsala.

Borgen, P. (2001b). George Wolff (1736-1828): Norwegian-born Merchant, Consul, Benevolent Methodist Layman, Close Friend of John Wesley, Methodist History 40, 17-28.

Borgen, P. (2001c). A Necessary and Important Step. I Getui, M.N., Maluleke, T., & Ukpong. (Red.). (2001). Interpreting the New Testament in Africa. (s. 1-4). Nairobi, Kenya: Acton Publishers.

Borgen, P. (2002). Avtalen ‘Nådens felleskap’ mellom Metodistkirken og Den norske kirke. Tidsskrift for Teologi og Kirke 73, 185–98.

Borgen, P. (2003). The Gospel of John and Philo of Alexandria. I Charlesworth, J.H. (Red.).  Light in a Spotless Mirror. Reflections on Wisdom Traditions in Judaism and Early Christianity. London: Continuum. (s. 77–91).

Borgen, P. (2003a). Philo of Alexandria as Exegete. I Hauser, A.J., & Watson, D.F. (Red.). A History of Biblical Interpretation Vol 1: The Ancient Period (s. 114–43). Grand Rapids, Mi: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (2004). The Contrite Wrongdoer – Condemned or Set Free by the Spirit? Romans 7:7–8:4. I Stanton, G.N., Longenecker, B.W., & Barton, S.C. (Red.). The Holy Spirit and Christian Origins. Essays in Honor of James D. G. Dunn (s. 181-92). Grand Rapids, Mi: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (2004a). Ute-økumenikk og hjemme-økumenikk. Hendelser og erfaringer. I Sandnes, K.O., Hegstad, H., Heiene, G., & Thorbjørnsen, S. (Red.), Etikk, tro og pluralisme. Festskrift til Lars Østnor (s. 269-280). Bergen: Fagbokforlaget.

Borgen, P. (2004b). Avhandlingen Das Volk Gottes. Dens økumeniske perspektiv, historiske kontekst og innflytelse. Norsk Teologisk Tidsskrift 105, 12-20.

Borgen, P. (2005). Der Methodismus und die Anfänge der Pfingstbewegung in Norwegen: eine auf Thomas Ball Barratt konzentrierte Studie mit einem kurzen Hinweis auf Erik Andersen Nordquelle. I Streiff P.Ph. (Red.). Der europäische Methodismus um die Wende vom 19. und 20. Jahrhundert. EmK Geschichte – Monografien, Band 52, Medienwerk der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche (s. 237-257). Freiburg,

Borgen, P. (2006). Some Crime-and-Punishment Reports. I Neusner, J., Avery-Peck, A.J., Laato, A., Nurmela, R. & Sandelin, K.-G. (Red.). Ancient Israel, Judaism, and Christianity in Contemporary Perspective. Essays in Memory of Karl-Johan Illman. Studies in Judaism (s. 67–80). Lanham: University Press of America.

Borgen, P. (2006a). Crucified for His Own Sins – Crucified for Our Sins: Observations on a Pauline Perspective. I Fotopoulos, J. (Red.). The New Testament and Early Christian Literature in Greco-Roman Context. Supplements to Novum Testamentum 122 (s.17–35). Leiden: Brill.

Borgen, P. (2007). The Scriptures and the Words and Works of Jesus. I Thatcher, T. (Red.). What We Have Heard from the Beginning. The Past, Present, and Future of Johaninne Studies (s. 39-58). Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press.

Borgen, P. (2009a). Ole Peter Petersen, Norsk biografisk leksikon. Internet edition:  https://nbl.snl.no/Ole_Peter_Petersen

Borgen, P. (2009b). Odd Hagen, Norsk biografisk leksikon. Internet edition: https://nbl.snl.no/Odd_Hagen

Borgen, P. (2009c). Vei utenfor Allfarvei. Studier i skjæringspunktet mellom kirkehistorie, personalhistorie og samfunnshistorie. Transactions of The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, 1, Trondheim. Contains: 2009d; 1972 (norsk oversett.); 2001b (norsk oversett.); 2009e; 2005; 2004b (eng. oversett.), 2004a, samt 2009d-e.

Borgen, P. (2009d). Vei utenfor allfarvei -oversikt-hovedtemaer. I Borgen, 2009c, s. 7-20.

Borgen, P. (2009e). Ole Peter Petersen fra Glemmen (1822-1901). I Borgen, 2009c, s.87-128.

Borgen, P. (2010). The Scriptures and the Words and Works of Jesus, I Thatcher, T. (Red.), What we have heard from the Beginning. The Past, Present, and Future of Johannine Studies (s. 39-59). Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press.

Borgen, P. (2013). On the Migration of Moses. I Feldman, L.H., et al. (Red.). Outside the Bible I (s. 951-58). Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society.

Borgen, P. (2014) The Gospel of John: More Light from Philo, Paul and Archaeology. The Scriptures, Tradition, Exposition, Settings, Meaning. Supplements to Novum Testamentum 154. Leiden-Boston: Brill. Comprises: 2010; 2014a;2014a; 2003, 2014b; 1996b; 1959a; 1990; 1992; 1968; 1991; 2014c; 2014d; 2014e; 2014f, og 2014g, and 2014a-g.

Borgen, P. (2014a) Debates on Expository Method and Form. I Borgen, P. 2014, s. 29-39.

Borgen, P. (2014b). Gospel traditions in Paul and John: Methods and Structures. John and the Synoptics. I Borgen, P. 2014, s. 67-77.

Borgen, P. (2014c). Observations on God’s agent and agency in John’s gospel Chapters 5-10: Agency and the Quest for the Historical Jesus. I Borgen, P. 2014, s. 193-218.

Borgen, P. (2014d) John the Witness and the Prologue: John 1:1-34(37), I Borgen, P. (2014), s. 219-238.

Borgen, P. (2014e), Can Philo’s In Flaccum and Legatio ad Gaium be of Help? I Borgen, P. (2014), s. 241-260.

Borgen, P. (2014f), The Appearance to Thomas: Not a blasphemous claim, but the Truth, I Borgen, P. (2014), s. 261-274.

Borgen, P. (2014g), Summary: John, Archaeology, Philo, Paul, Other Jewish sources. John’s independence of the Synoptics. Where my journey of research has led, I Borgen, P. (2014), s. 275-294.

Borgen, P. (2014h) Philo – An Interpreter of the Laws of Moses. I Seland, T., (2014). (Red.). Reading Philo. A Handbook to Philo of Alexandria (s. 75-101). Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans.

Borgen, P. (2016). Alternative Aims and Choices in Education: Analysis of Selected Texts. I Runia, D.T. & Sterling, G.E. (Red.). The Studia Philonica Annual XXVIII 2016/ Studies in Hellenistic Judaism (s. 257-271). Atlanta, Ga: SBL Press.

Borgen, P. (2017). Bread from Heaven. An Exegetical Study of the Concept of Manna in the Gospel of John and the Writings of Philo. The Johannine Monograph Series. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2017. Reprint of the 1965/1981 editions, with a Foreword by Paul. N. Andersson (ix-xxxiv), and a new Preface by P. Borgen.

Borgen, P. (2018). Perspectives for Mission: Galatians 3:1-14 in Context. I Aune, D.E & Hvalvik, R. (Red.), The Church and Its Mission in the New Testament and Early Christianity. Essays in Memory of Hans Kvalbein. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 404 (s. 181-192) Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.

“Writing to the Romans: Philo of Alexandria and Paul”

On Monday, February 10, 2020 – 5:30pm to 6:30pm, at Yale Divinity School (409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT) Maren R. Niehoff will give a lecture on

“Writing to the Romans: Philo of Alexandria and Paul.”

I hope this lecture will result in an article too, as many more than those able to attend the lecture will probably be interested in her views concerning Paul and Philo and their relations with Rome.

Maren R. Niehoff is Max Cooper Professor of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University, Israel, and now also a Martin Hengel Fellow at Tübingen University. Her two latest books are Bible Exegesis and Homeric Scholarship in Alexandria (Cambridge 2011, paperback 2014), and Philo of Alexandria: An Intellectual Biography (Yale, 2018).

Larry W. Hurtado 1943-2019

This week I received the news that Larry Hurtado’s fight against his leukemia was over. By his death a good friend, and a brilliant scholar has passed away. He will be greatly missed.

I first met him in the US, at a SBL Annual Meeting, in 1996 0r 1997. I had been following him and his discussions on the then popular Ioudaios listserver; several years later, he started blogging; in fact, he posted his last blogpost on Nov 17th this fall. In 1998 he invited me to Edinburgh as a Visiting Nordic scholar, and I occasionally met him up through the years at various conferences.

His books have been of great interest to me; I especially cherish his One God, One Lord: Early Christian Devotion and Ancient Jewish Monotheism (1988,1998,2015); Lord Jesus Christ(2003, 2005); How on Earth did Jesus become a god? (2005); Destroyer of the gods. Early Christian distinctiveness in the Roman World (2016), and his small volume with the long title: How on Earth did anyone become a Christian in the First Threee Centuries ?(2016). He even published a piece on Philo; you can read that paper here. A lot of other studies by LH can be accessed at his blog.

Larry had a somewhat conservative background. He had served as a pastor, and he had a pentecostal background. When I read his great work (both in size and value) from 2003 on Lord Jesus Christ, and in particular his emphasis on revelatory experiences in the New Testament, I found it very interesting in light of his pentecostal background. However, he never flagged that himself, as far as I know.

It is nice to see the many posts on blogs and Facebook these days, witnessing the impact of Larry Hurtado. He will be remembered and missed.

Prof. Karl Olav Sandnes 65!

Seminar to be held in honor of Professor dr. theol. Karl Olav Sandnes on his 65th birthday at Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Oslo

Tuesday, Jan 22. 2019:

The topic for the day: The Gospel in the Graeco-Roman World

10.30–11.00 Professor Reidar Hvalvik (MF):
Karl Olav Sandnes – A Presentation

11.00–11.45 Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University John M. G. Barclay:
Early Christianity, Mission and the Survival of the Poor in the Graeco-Roman World

11.45–12.45 Lunch in the cantina to be bought

12.45–13.30 Rev. Christine Henriksen Aarflot, Ph.D. (Oslo):
Greek Myth as Gospel: Reading C. S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces

13.30–14.00 Coffee/tea served

14.00–14.45 Associate Professor Glenn Ø. Wehus (MF):
The Gospel according to Epictetus

14.45–15.00 Final thanks